Submarine.



F. J. LIESKE.

SUBMAHINE.

.APPLICATION FILED ocT.2.191a.

Pahed Apr. 15, 1919.

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In uc H1201 FRA/VH J LIEKE.

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SUBNIARINE. l APPLicATloN FILED 001.2, |918.

INVENTOR fR/V/f J. L/ES/(f ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 15,1919.

F.1. LIESKE.

'SUBMARINL APPLICATION FILED OCT-2,1918 l PQ. Patented Apr. 15, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4 INVENTOR FRA/VA LIES/(5 ATTORNEY F. J. UESKE.

SUBIVIARINE.

APPLICATION FILED 0cT.2.191s.

Patented Apr. 15, 1919.l

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

WITNESS:

ATTORNEY.

Vcitizen of the United States, residin FRANK J'. LIES, DF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR', BY MESNE ASSIf-NMENTS.,y 0F

ONE-HALF T0 AMERICAN ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES, A TRUST ESTATE 0F SUIBMAB'INE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. i5, i919.

Application led October 2, 1918. Serial No. 256,499.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l., FRANK J. Lmsxn, a at Detroit, county-of Vv'ayne, State of Michigan, have invented a certa-in new and useful Improvement in Submarines, and declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the saine, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyin drawings, which form a part of this speciiiation.

This invention relates to submarines, and its object is to provide a main submarine adapted to receive an auxiliary submarine at the rear end thereof and at the rear of the conning tower, the auxiliary beine a complete subniarine on a small scale adapted to be moved 'bynits own power into interlockinglrelationship with .the main submarino in eachy instance and providing compartments when in position on the main sub- 'marine which may be entered freely at all normal times, means being provided to close the passageway between the main and auxiliary submarines, both on the main and auxiliary submarine whereby the auxiliary may be withdrawn without detriment to the main submarine and also providing a means ot' escape for occupants of the main sub* marine in i case of accident thereto. The 'principal features of this invention, as distinguished from my pending application, Serial No. 176,465, is in the provision for means on the deck of the main submarine at the back of the c'onning` tower whereby loss of space in the main submarine is avoid ed and further by placingrthej auxiliary back of the conning tower, the resista nce to more ment oil thesubinarineisnot materially increascd.` ln ease both: auxiliary submarines are utilized., as is hereinafter described,v

, providingl a slidable carrier in the auxiliary submarinacarrying a. torpedo, and ear 'rieradapted to close the passageway ordi- An additional object is a main submarine or sea-going vessel provided at the rear end with vertical and horizontal propellers,'the horizontal propeller in addition to the main propeller being positioned transversely of the body of the vessel whereby the rear end thereof may be swung to the right or left and to steady the main submarine to allow the auxiliary to be moved thereinto. An additional object is a submarine provided with an inner and outer hull with partitioned members extending therebetween longitudinally of the vessel providing water tanks and tendingl to hold. the vessel on an even keel. These and other novel features of the invention are hereinafter nxorerfully described and claimed and .shown in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure l is an elevation of al submarine embodying` my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section thereof.

Fig.- 3 is an marine.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section thereof showing the means for closing the passage wayY and the carrier for the torpedo also adapted to close the passageway.

Fig. 5 is an eleva-tion of the stern of the auxiliary submarine.

Fig. 6 is. a perspective view of the means einploycdto iock the auxiliary to the main elevation of an auxiliary subsubmarine.

Fig. 7 is a view oi a portion of the auxiliary and main submarine showing the means ot looking the auxilia submarine from vertical movement relative to the main sub marine.

Fig. 8 is a cross section on an enlarged saale taken on line A of Fig. l.

Fig. 9 is a cross seetion on a dierent scale taken .on iine fi-B of Fig. l..

Fig. 10 is a vertical section of the rear .end of an ordinary Vessel showing my auxiliary submarine in conjunction therewith.

Fig. 11 is a cross section taken on line z-s of Fig. 10.

The drawings are practically Adiagrammatic in form showing only lthe general relationship of the several elements described, and not attempting to show the exact mechanical detail as, for instance, the hull wall or sides or the general operating device, being here merely indicated to make clear the invention described. The main submarine shown in Fig. 1 may be of any general type provided with the usual periscope 1 and the conning tower 2, giving access to the main submarine. This main submarine is provided at the forward end with torpedo tubes 3 and 7 and provided with torpedoes in the usual manner which are discharged by the usual well known mechanism not here shown. It is also to be understood that the boat may be operated by any well known motive power, for instance an internal combustion engine indicated at Ll, which propels the boat and operates the electrical generator 5. Also tanks 6 are provided at points within the hull ot' the main submarine adapted to be filled with water for submerging or expelling to cause the submarine to rise. As in my former application, the main submarine may be provided with a slip 11 open `at the rear end and upper side thereof to receive an auxiliary submarine S. This auxiliary is provided at the forward end with a tube 9 which may be used as an entrance to the auxiliary submarine and made to tit tightly an aperture 10 at the forward end of the Said slip in the wall of the main submarine when in place. This tube forms part of the passageway between the two vessels and is adapted to be closed by a torpedo tube 30 which carries the torpedo 31 therewithin and has .an open forward end adapted to be inserted in the tube 9 of the auxiliary submarine ina manner to close the opening so that previous to disengagement oli-the two vessels the torpedo tube may be moved into the tube 9 closing the same and positioning the tube for discharge in the usual manner after Withdrawal of the auxiliary. Preferably, this tube is arranged to ride on ways 3Q in the upper surface of the interior of the auxiliary submarine by means of complemental Ways 33, and the tube 30 may thus be moved longitudinally thereof as may be desired. The tube 9 may also be closed by the door device indicated at 28 operable trom the in.

terior of the auxiliary and the aperture 10 of the main submarine may be closed pre vious to the disengagement ot' the two submarines by means of the cylindrical block 12 which is adapted to be moved longitu dinally on ways 13 and forced into the to be understood that the auxiliary is adapted to tit tightly in the slip 1110i' the submarine and the tube 9 fitting the aperture 10 and the'joint between the mainand auxiliary submarines provided with a gasket 13 and a recessed end all shown inFig. 3

adapted to engage against shouldersl formed` by a portion engaged thereby on the main submarine. lVhen the auxiliary submarine is in place on the main submarine, the bloc-k 12 may be withdrawn and the door member 2S or tube 30 in the auxiliary may also be withdrawn, giving free access from one to the other.

The auxiliary submarine provides a sep arate compartment of the main submarine and, as will be understood from the above, the auxiliary sul'miarine is operable by its own power and is to be movable into the slip to a partial extent, at least by its own power. lipon movement of the auxiliary, practically the entire extent, it may be drawn forward to locked position in the slip 11 by means of mechanism provided in the auxiliary submaiine which consists of a lnotor 17 adapted to drive the shaft 18 by means ot' the belt 19 and thus turning the gear Q0 which is in mesh with the gear 21 threaded on the shaft 22 ofl the engaging member 15. protrudes as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3 and engages over the hook member 1G provided at the forward end of the sli i on the mainl sulnnarine. 3y tln'eading tlhe gear on the shaft 22 of the hook member, rotat-ion of the gear causes longitudinal movement ot' the shaft 22 and member 15. As the gear is turned the auxiliary'submarine is drawn for yard until the tubular nose 9 engages tightly in the aperture theret'or in the main submarine as is described in my said pending application. It is to be understood that the block 12, when tl auxiliary is out. ot' position, fills the aperture l() and maintains it closed until the auxiliary has been again brought to linal posit-ion, the construction being such as to allow this operation, and when the auxiliary has'heen brought to linal position. the bloelc 12 may he withdrawn trom the inside oi' the main submarine.

To prevent rotation of the shaft 22 and This member 15 ordinarilyY prevent the member 15 from turning with i longitudinal movement-or the auxiliary submarine in the slip. As is shown in Fig. 3 the keel of the auxiliary is provided with lugs 26 'thereon adapted to engage beneath similar lugs 27 provided in the bottom of the slip on the main submarine. As will be understood from the above, as the auxiliary vmoves to position in the slip and settles thereinto, the undercut lugs 24 are introduced between the lugs 25 on the main submarine and similarly the lugs 26 engage between the lugs 27. Upon the auxiliary submarine being moved forward the several lugs are brought tointerlocking relation, preventing vertical movement of the auxiliary when in the slip. Longitudinal movement of the auxiliary is prevented by the locking members 15 and 16.

It is to be understood that the auxiliary 8 moves into the slip 11 substantially in the same manner as 'a ferry boat moves into its slip. The main submarine may be moved about to receive the auxiliary submarine by means of the propellers 40 and 41 before mentioned. A

I have shown the auxiliary as applied to a submarineY vessel. It also may be used in connection with a sea-going vessel of other character as a warship, passenger or freight boat in connection with which a submarine may be found useful. The construction of the auxiliary and slip for this type of vessel is practically identical with that used for a mal'n submarine vexcept that as shown in Fig. 10 a slightly different locking means is employed. The shaft 22a has a gear 21a keyed thereon and rotation of the gear 20 thus rotates the shaft 22a and threadedhead 45 thereon which is adapted to be inserted in ay threaded socket 46 at the forward end of the slip. Rotation of the shaft in one direction therefore draws the auxiliary. forward and reverse rotation tends to move it backward in the slip.

As will be understood from Figs. 1, 2 and 9. a. second slip 111 may be provided with the same character of locking device and lugs as the slip 11 in the body of the vessel. This slip 111, however. should be no greater in width than the conning tower so thatl forward movement of the vessel is not restricted by this construction. This second auxiliary is in all general respects the same as the auxiliary above described except as to the' positioning. By this arrangement the usual submarine having a conning tower may be readily remodeled to accommodate an auxiliary by building a receiving slip on `the deck or surface of the main submarine and providing an opening in the conning tower similar in all'respects to that above described for introduction of the tube 9 at the forward end of the auxiliary thereinto. Preferably, the conning tower is elongated at the back as indicated at 56 to'providethe desired forward end of the slip conforming to that described in the forward end of the slip 1l in the rear end of the vessel. By thus providing an auxiliary submarine at the rear of the conning tower, one object of the invention is attained and a comparatively inexpensive construction secured whereby a submarine may be remodeled to utilize an auxiliary and further to position an auxiliary in such a manner to present -little resistance to forward movement of the main submarine. The slip is ordinarily of a width not greater than the' width of the conning tower but, if it be desired or necessary to make the slip greater in width than the width of the conning tower, this may be accomplished by increasing the length of the wedge shaped portion 36 at the forward side of the conning tower as indicated particularly in Figs. 1 and 2. By use of such wedge shaped portion the conning tower and slip may present the least resistance to forward movement of the-vessel in the water. To assist in operation of the vessel when at or near the surface this wedge shaped portion may be provided with a si ht device illustrated diagrau'lmatically at 3% and also a similar device indicated at 38 positioned at the prow of the vessel. These sight devices or tubes may be of any preferred construction to enable the crew to make an observation from within the interior of the vessel and may be utilized in addition to the usual periscope 1.

As heretofore stated, the auxiliaryv may be used with other sea-.going types of vessels in which case the bottom of the slip formed in the rear end thereof as indicated in Fig. 10 should be at or below the water level. By

means of the vertical and transversely posii water from ilowing into the vessel.

49 positioned with the upper face thereof extending slightly above the floor of the slip and inclosed by a housing 52 to prevent Upon movement of the auxiliaryv into the slip suliiciently to engage the rack into the gear the shaft 50 of the gear which extends'into a compartment in the main vessel may be rotated by means of the hand wheels 5l or by means'of a power if so desired, as by a chain on these wheels 5l, and rotation thereof causes movement of the auxiliary to position. Reverse rotation would back the auxiliary out of the slip and when the propeller thereof lis submerged, the power may be applied by the motor 3l to withdraw the same. Preferably, I provide the main submarines with keels l) disposed on opposite sides of the base of the submarine to stabilize it when on the bed of the ocean. The main submarine is also provided with an interior shell 5l as indicated in Fig. 9 or two shells as shown at 54 and 55 in Fig. 8. Between these shells and the outer shell 53 suitable water tanks 66 may be provided by longitudinal partition members 67 extending from one shell to the other transversely. This arrangement of partitions strengthens the device and further provides water spaces in which the water may not roll transversely from one side of the boat, to t-he other causing` an unstable condition.

The described features of this invention provide one or more life boats utilizable with the usual type of submarine and enabling the occupants of the main vessel to escape in case of disablement of the main submarine from any cause. By the construction described and shown the life boat of the auxiliary back of the conningtower is provided, having all the features described relative to the auxiliary submarine and utilizable therewith without encroaching upon the limited space within the main submarine. Further, by providinga torpedo tube in the auxiliary adapted to close the passageway in the auxiliary, a means of defense is provided in the auxiliary which also locks the entrance thereto automatically in the positioning of the tube. The entrance between the auxiliary and the main submarine, when in position, should be at all times `inaintained open so that in case of accident ready access maybe had thereto, and if a destructive accident happens to the main submarine, the crew may pass into the auxiliary submarine and close. the opening in the a xiliaiy and return to the surface by means of the auxiliary. In ordinary cases, however, where the auxiliary is used as a supplemental vessel and part of the crew ren'iainiiig in the main Submarine. the entrance in the main submarine should be closed prior to disengagement of the auxiliary.

The utility of providing a submarine or other vessel is believed sufticiently evident as the auxiliary may be used in all ways as a motor boat in running to and from a land station to a submerged main submarine or to perform various requirements as it 'is more readily operated than the main submarine and can be operated in shallow water or in channels or the like difficult of approach by a submarine of large size. The

thereof, a second receiving slip provided on` the upper surface of the main submarine at the rear of the conning tower, said conning tower havin an extension forming the for'- ward end of the said slip, the forward end of both slips being provided with'an aperture and the auxiliary submarine when in position in the slip having an opening registering with the said aperture.

Q. In a device of the character described, a main submarine having a conning tower, a pair of auxiliary submarines each operable by its own power, a receiving slip for an auxiliary formed at the rear end of the main submarine, a receiving sli formed at the rear of the conning tower, t e width of which is not greater than the width of the conning tower, and complemental means at the forward end of each slip and auxiliary providing a means of communication be tween the main and auxiliary submarines when positioned in the respective slips.

3. In a device of the character described, a main submarine provided with a conning tower projecting above the upper surface, a receiving slip formed at the rear of the conning tower, a second receiving slip formed in the rear end of the submarine, the first slip terminating short of the said second slip whereby the submarine in the second slip may float vertically out of position when the first slip is occupied, an auxiliary submarine for each slip operable by its own power. and complemental means at the forward end of each slip and auxiliary submarine respectively cooperating to provide a passageway between the main submarine and each auxiliary respectively when iinally positioned iu the respective slip.

et. In a device of the character described, a main submarine provided with a conning tower extending above the upper surface iliary submarine therein, and means of communication between the interiors of the aux-V iliary and main submarine through the conning tower. l

5. 1n a device of the character described, a main submarine provided with a conning tower extending above the upper surface thereof, a receiving slip provided on the surface of the submarine at the rear of the conning tower, the slip being open at the rear end and upper, side and being of a width not greater than the width of the-conning tower, said conning tower at the rear side having an extension providing a vertical wall forming the forward end of the slip, an auxiliary submarine operable by its own power adapted to be moved into the slip, means for securing the auxiliary and main submarine in interlocking relation, an aperture provided in the said vertical Wall of the conning tower extension, a tubular projection on the forward end of the auxiliary adapted for insertion thereinto and means for sealing the interstice between the aperture and tubular projection of the auxiliary, means for closing the aperture from within the conningY tower, a tubular member movable longitudinally of the auxiliary open at the forward end only and adapted to be inserted in the said extension of the auxiliary ina manner to seal the same, said tubular member comprising a torpedo carrier from which a torpedo-may be projected through the open forward end.

6. In a device of the character described, a main submarine provided with a receiving slip, an auxiliary submarine operable by its own power and adapted to be moved into the slip, an aperture provided at the forward end of the slip opening into the interior of the main submarine, a tubular extension on the forward end of the auxiliary adapted for engagement in said aperture and providing means of access to the auxiliary from the main submarine, means for closing the aperture from the main submarine, a tubular member open at the forward end only adapted for insertion in the projecting tubular portion of the auxiliary in a manner to ,seal the same, the tubular member comprising a torpedo carrier from which a torpedo` may be projected through the said opening. 7. In a device of the character described,

a sea-going vessel provided with a receiving l slip at the rear end, the bot-tom of which iS practically at about the water level and open at the'rear end and upper side, an auxiliary submarine operable by its own power and adapted to be inserted to a partial extent into the slip, a keel on the auxiliary having rack teeth on the lower odge thereof, a gear in the bottoni of the slip extending thereinto and adapted to be engaged by the rack on partial introduction of the auxiliary into the slip, means for operating the gear from within the main vessel to complete the movement of the auxiliary into the slip, and means providing access to theauxiliary from the interior ofthe main submarine.

8. In a device ofthe character described, a main submarine provided with a conning tower extending above the upper surface, a receiving slip formed at the rear of the conning tower, an auxiliary submarine for the said slip operable by its own power and adapted to be moved ther-cinto, there being a passageway provided from the conning tower to the auxiliary when positioned in the slip, said slip being formed with walls coextensive with the walls of the conning tower and being of a character in general outline to present least resistance to forward movement of the main submarine, and means for locking the auxiliary in place, said locking means being operable from the interior auxiliary.

9. In a device of the character described,

-a main submarine provided with a conning tower extending above the upper surface, a receiving slip formed at the rear of the conning tower, the side walls of the conning tower converging at the forward side thereof extending at an angle toward the rear terminating with the side' walls respectively of the slip, an auxiliary submarine for .the slip operable Iby its own power and adapted to move thereinto, and means for locking the auxiliary in place.

10. In a device of the character described, a sea-going vessel provided with a. receiving slip at the rear end the bottom of which is practically at the water level and open at the rear end and upper side, an auxiliary submarine operable by its own power adapted to be inserted thereby to a partial extent into the slip, propelling devices for moving the main vessel in vertical or transverse directions to position the same to receive the auxiliary, a keel on the auxiliary having rack teeth, a gearin the bottom of the slip near the rear end and extending thereinto engaged by the rack on partial introduction of the auxiliary, mechanism for operating the gear from within the veel to move the auxiliary forward into the slip, the forward vertical wall of the slip having an aperture, a tubular extension on the auxiliary adapted to engage therein on completion of its movement into the slip and providing a passageway from the vessel into the auxiliary, and a looking device for moving` the auxiliary to inal position comprising a rotatable screw threaded member` operable from Within the auxiliary and a threaded aperture in the forward vertical wall of the slip engaged thereby and lugs on the side walls of the slip engaging complementa] lugs on the auxiliary preventing vertical movement of the submarine in the slip When 10 in final position.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specication.

FRANK J LIESKE. 

